August 16, 2010

Image via Wikipedia

I have been searching other sites for further information.  Genealogy.com has a forum for the chiles family which may be helpful or not.  There are so many different conversations about different members of the family that it takes a while to sift through the information.  I just found a site called alabamapioneers.com which I haven't had a chance to read yet.  I also signed up on Cyndi's list.  Just last week I finished a book called, "Murder In Virginia" by Suzanne Lebsock.  The book tells the story of the murder of a farmer's wife by persons unknown in Lunenberg County, Virginia in 1895.   It's more than a murder story because it describes rural life, politics and race relations during that period.  It is definitely worth the read.  I am currently reading "Martha Washington" by Patricia Brady.  Martha Washington was born in New Kent County on June 1, 1731.  Her book describes the life of a planter during this time which is informative for the serious genealogist that wants to know more than a date and place of birth and death.  And since our Henry Chiles is known to have lived in the area makes this book very interesting.
As in many books I have read, the author always mentions the Virginians love of dance and music.  I can tell you that this has not changed.  They still love dancing.  I grew up in a family that loved to go dancing and I learned the Virginia Reel many years ago.

We cannot go back in time except through our imagination.  With help from books, manuscripts, letters and records from local sources, for a just a moment we can be in the upstairs ballroom dancing the Virginia Reel.